Best Foot Forward is a musical comedy film released in 1943 and directed by Edward Buzzell. Lucille Ball stars as herself in the movie, portraying a popular movie star who is invited to a military academy’s prom to boost her career. The film also features performances by William Gaxton, Virginia Weidler as well as many other actors. This article provides information about the filming locations and other interesting facts about the movie.
Where it Filmed?
The movie was shot at two main locations. The first filming site is the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, located at 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. The second location is the St. John’s Military Academy situated at 1101 North Genesee Street, Delafield, Wisconsin, USA. The filming dates are not specified.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Lucille Ball | Lucille Ball |
| William Gaxton | Jack O’Riley |
| Virginia Weidler | Helen Schlesinger |
| Tommy Dix | Bud Hooper |
| Nancy Walker | Nancy – Blind Date |
| June Allyson | Ethel |
| Kenny Bowers | Dutch Miller |
| Gloria DeHaven | Minerva |
| Jack Jordan | Hunk |
| Beverly Tyler | Miss Delaware Water Gap |
| Vocalist | |
| Chill Wills | Chester Short |
| Henry O’Neill | Maj. Reeber |
| Sara Haden | Miss Talbert |
| Donald MacBride | Capt. Bradd |
| Darwood Kaye | Killer |
| Morris Ankrum | Col. Harkrider |
| Nana Bryant | Mrs. Dalrymple |
| Harry James | Harry James |
| John Allbule | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Barbara Bedford | Chaperon at Dance (uncredited) |
| Billy Bletcher | Waxer (uncredited) |
| Lulu Mae Bohrman | Elderly Woman (uncredited) |
| Carl R. Botefuhr | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Marguerite Campbell | Woman (uncredited) |
| James Carlisle | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| Milton Chisholm | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Jack Coffey | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Richard Dick | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Stanley Donen | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Harry Duff | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Norris Durham | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Ward Ellis | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| James Ellison | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Bess Flowers | Mrs. Bradd (uncredited) |
| Don Gallaher | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Mac Garn | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Joe Geil | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Dick Gordon | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| Bradley Hail | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Harry Hayden | Prof. Morton (uncredited) |
| Fred Jenel | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Sam Kamie | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Colin Kenny | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| Ralph Lee | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Dale Lefler | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Jack Lindquist | Cadet (uncredited) |
| George Lockett | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Skip E. Lowe | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Herb Lurie | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Caren Marsh | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Jackie McGee | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Robert Emmett O’Connor | Train Conductor (uncredited) |
| James Pilcher | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Isabel Randolph | Mrs. Morton (uncredited) |
| Shirley Jean Rickert | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Cal Rothenberg | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| George Rowland | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Hugh Sheridan | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Gil Stratton | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Eileen Talbot | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Art Thompson | Elderly Man (uncredited) |
| Riley Thompson | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| John Treul | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Dorothy Tuttle | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Jack Wagner | Cadet (uncredited) |
| Ken Wilson | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Kenneth Wilson | Cadet (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film marked the debut of Nancy Walker.
- It was also the first full-length feature of June Allyson.
- June Allyson and Nancy Walker reprised their roles from the Broadway play upon which this movie is based.
- There was an inconsistency in the film where June Allyson is billed as Minerva and Gloria DeHaven as Ethel, but in the film, Allyson is called Ethel and DeHaven is referred to as Minerva and ‘Min’.
- The movie was featured in the film That’s Entertainment! III in 1994.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios – 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.0177219
- Longitude: -118.4010554
- Place ID: ChIJdz_a2y66woARft2-DvNq-K4
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: St. John’s Military Academy – 1101 North Genesee Street, Delafield, Wisconsin, USA
- Latitude: 43.0651489
- Longitude: -88.4078131
- Place ID: ChIJ_7JKVcq2BYgRn7vHUdZF09g
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 1101 N Genesee St, Delafield, WI 53018, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
